Three people have been critically injured and a fourth seriously hurt in a two-vehicle crash at Waihola early this afternoon.

The Otago Daily Times understands there are children among the injured.

Police were called to the scene, on State Highway 1 between the intersections with Titri and Bungards Rds, about 12.15pm.

A police spokeswoman initially said “reports suggest there are serious injuries”.

In an update about 1.45pm a Hato Hone St John spokesman said four people had been taken to Dunedin Hospital, three in a critical condition and one serious.

Police said they were called to the crash on State Highway 1, north of Waihola about 12.15pm. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Two - one critical and one serious - were taken by helicopter and the other two by ambulance.

Earlier, St John said three ambulances and two helicopters had been sent to the scene.

A witness who asked not to be named said she felt “traumatised driving past” about 12.30pm before emergency services arrived.

 “I didn’t see it happen, but it looked horrific,” she said.

“I don’t know how it would have happened as it was right on the brow of the hill, so no one should have been considering passing.”

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said three appliances, from Milton, Waihola and Balclutha were responding.

State Highway 1 between Bungards Rd and Titri Rd was now closed.

A reporter at the scene said traffic was being diverted down Titri Rd.

- Additional reporting by Otago Daily Times